Jobs most important issue for Rotorua voters

FILE

Google search data reveals the priorities of Bay voters

Rotorua voters care more about jobs this election than anything else, Google search data reveals.

Internet giant Google collected and analysed search data over the last three years - revealing the election issues most important to Bay of Plenty voters.

Results looked at search numbers for health, economy, employment, education, housing and other key election concerns around the country and ranked them according to the level of regional interest.

The data showed Rotorua residents showed the highest interest in jobs and employment in the lead-up to this election, followed by health and education.

Across the wider region, Bay of Plenty residents had an increasing interest in health and transport.

Ultra-fast broadband dipped in popularity, while interest rates dropped from having the strongest following in 2012 to minimal searches this year.

Housing was another topic to fall out of favour with local residents.

Rotorua deputy mayor Dave Donaldson - who also leads the council's economic growth strategy portfolio - said a number of initiatives were already under way to promote job creation.

"In partnership with local business leaders we developed the Rotorua Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy. We then set up and funded an economic development CCO, Grow Rotorua Ltd, to drive the strategy's implementation through collaboration with the business community and government agencies."

The strategy focused on the four key sectors with the most potential for economic development - tourism, forestry and wood processing, agri-business and geothermal.

"Each has a stream of work underway aimed at growing the sectors and producing increased employment opportunities," Mr Donaldson said.

Other employment related initiatives involved government agencies, education bodies, community organisations, the private sector and the council.

"One example of this is Excel Rotorua. This is a community-driven programme supported by the government, and one which our mayor is a strong supporter of. It is primarily aimed at improving educational opportunities and levels for young people in Rotorua, to better equip them for entering the workforce."

Search giant Google's Annie Baxter said the results showed the focus in this month's upcoming election varied from region to region.

"The popularity of searches can provide insights into the issues that matter most to people in different parts of New Zealand," she said.